Eight dead as mass shooter targets workplace with “90% Sikh employees”

Reports from the USA have confirmed that Sikh community members are among those that have passed away after a gunman carried out a mass shooting at a FedEx Operations Center.

The attack, now revealed to be carried out by former employee of the center 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole, happened this Thursday evening in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to reports from local Sikhs “90% of employees at the FedEx location are Sikh”.

Reports have also revealed the murderer was known to authorities, due to family concerns about his behaviour and fear he could pose a threat to the public.

The Sikh Coalition, a Sikh community legal advocacy support group, have confirmed that members of the Sikh community are among the deceased, whilst also stating that unverified information will not be shared, as speculation online continues. However, it is confirmed that one of the deceased was Amarjeet Kaur Johal, a local Sikh woman, one of at least four Sikh victims of the shooting. The Sikh Press Association will share further information on the victims once confirmed by trusted US Sikh organisations and/or individuals.

Update- the names of the deceased have been revealed (see tweet below).

The Sikh Coalition also mentioned possibilities of “bias” fuelling the motivation of the killer will be investigated by authorities. It is believed approximately 80000 Sikhs live in the state of Indiana, of which Indianapolis is the capital city.

Statements from police officers handling the case claim Brandon Scott Hole drove to the facility and then began shooting indiscriminately, without any specific confrontation. Four people were killed outside the building and another four were then killed inside. An as of yet unnumbered amount of people were also injured during the attack. The attack is said to have happened within a few minutes, ending with the gunman killing himself.

The gunman used a high calibre gun of some kind in the mass shooting which is guaranteed to trigger further discussions about gun control in the USA, as well as issues of white supremacy and the targeting of minority communities such as the Sikhs.

The motivation of the shooter is currently a mystery, and as with many mass shootings where the perpetrator kills themselves, the motivation of the killer may remain nothing more than speculation. Police have searched his home and property to find out more.

The incident has been condemned by President Joe Biden and various other American figures.

A candlelit vigil for the victims of the attack is being held by Sikhs of California. Countless more outpourings of mourning and support have been shared across social media and within international Sikh community circles.

Media looking for more information on this story can contact media@sikhcoalition.org.